Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1887-04-03
HOTEL DBL MONTE.
The Magnificent Structure
Burned to the Ground.
Not q Lie Lost Among
Three Hundred and
Fifty Guests.
The Fine System of Water
Piping of No Avail
Ladies and Gentlemen Rush from the
Burning Building without Attempt
ing to Save Their Property
Over q Million Dollar Loss
CHESTS GO to Frisco by
9 Special Train.

Q Special Train.
HOtel Del Mease Burned % the
Ground
MoxrKRKY (Oal.), April 2.-The Hotel
Del Monte Was burned 10 the ground
| Iast night. The FIRE was discovered
| abont IL .. m. under the basement IN
| the battery roem. The alarm vas given
/ at once and the gas cut OF from the
main tanks. The building bad water
pip4s all through IL. arranged IN such 9
| manner that, in case Of fire, the build
| ing could be flooded from top to bet
tom. No sooner was the IRE discovered
than the water was turned on, but ali
efforts to save the building were in vain.
The alarm vas given In town very sooH,
and in ten inmates aftergard the Mon.
terey fire department was on the prem
ises and had two streams on the build.
ing. The water pressure was poor and
at times they could not throw stream
higher than ten feet. The dremep
worked hard, and several times they
we're driven back by the flames. The
Hotel Del Monte's fire department also
did good work. Being q wooden build
ING, it vas not q half hour before the
main part was completely in flames.
Meanwhile the men worked hard re-
moving what furniture they could.
There were about three hundred aRd
fifty guests in the hotel, and such q
scene as was witnessed when the alarm
was given will never be forgotten by
those who were present. The people
vent wild in trying to escape. Men and
women could be seen ruBninR sut from
all directions In their nioht clothes,
calling for some one to save them. They
we're taken to the Club House and pro
vided with blankets. Wagons were
procured and they were brought into
the town, where willing hands we're
ready to receive them. They are all
stopping round the town in hotels and
private houses, and, IS far as heard
froa, no lives were lost. It was re-
ported that an old Rentlemas and one
Of the ohambermaids had persisted, bat
later reports have found il 10 be untrue.
Considerable of the furniture, carpets
and other articles were saved, but every
thing is damaged to a great extent. The
guests had ne time even to dress them
selves, and thousands Of dollars worth
Of diamonds and jewelTy we're con-
sumed.
The hotel belonged to the Southern
Pacific L abroad Company and was con
sideFed the handsomest Watering place
hotel in America. II cost $3.50, 900 and
was not insured.
Charles w. Croeker. Vice President Of
the Southern Pacific Railroad Company,
.Eas seen early this morning and said
that the hotel would be rebuilt. as it
had proved very profitable investment.
There we're nearly 800 guests. ostly
Eastern people, in the hotel. The IRE
was discovered soon enough to give all
time to escape. Most Of the guests lost
their trunks and clothing. Those who
we're not overcome by fright saved their
money and valuables. They were all
huddled together in the grounds and
had to stay all night, mAny Of them
having no more on than their night
clothes. The heat from the flames of
the building kept them warm for time.
Many of the ladies suffered severely
from the cold. All who could sought
shelter in the local hotels, and arrange
ments we're made by the railroad COM
pany to take them so San Francisco as
early as possible this morning.
The Hotel Del Monte had Just passed
into the management OF Geo. Schone-
valid, late of the Palace. Three hours
after the alarm was given the entire
buiIdinR had burned to the ground, and
all that could be seen were the brick
chimneys standing erect. Today the
Hotel Del Monte is a mass of ruins. The
water pipes through the house we're
burst ard it was impossible 70 get
stream of water on any part OF the
building. Had IL NOS been for the water
pipes barstiae the hFemen could have
saved a part Of the building. as they
would have bad good pressure from the
bydrant. Il is estimated that 81 800, 900
will net cover the loss. as the insurance
vas very small. A special train came
down from San Francisco TO convey the
guests 70 that city. The safe has not
been opened. 1t contained considerable
money.
Several rumors are aaoat. Some claim
that the hotel was set on fire by soms
one employed in the building, and eth
ers claim that it was an accident.
ARRIvE n SAN TRAKcIsCo.
San FRAScIso, April 2.-Immediately
apou the receipt Of the news Of the
burnine of the hotel Del Monte, at
Monterey. this morning, the southern
Pacific Railroad Company made PROMPT
arrangements TO bring the unfortunate
guests to this city. The dTst train load
arrived at 1880 g. N. and numbered
about $50 She scene presented In the
richly furnished coaches Of ladies With
dishevelled hair, frightened looks and
scantily clad Was q peculiar one. An
other train arrived here later bringing
- A.. s.Hk As asa -
to come. Many interested friends aud
relatives we're ai the depot TO witness
their arrival. some carried bundles
containing necessary articles Of wear
ing apparel With which TO envelope the
forms OF those who had been compelled
10 leave the botei without ceremony.
themselves that their relatives and
friends had escapea unbaRmed.
When the train palled into the sta
tien there wss a rush for the platform
cars. and as the half clad passengers
stepped of thew found themselves 10
lhe arms Of anxious watchers. come Of
whom we're bysterieal IN their eopRrat0-
Iasinns. For about I've uinutes there
vas q general hand shaking. and the
iired tourists wera then hlrried 70
1a"N@-s
~ the hotels. 4 number later sought
rsfrge a. ths Palace Hotel, bat as thai
botrI was already crowd - 10 its utmost
cAT sci y. the anfortanates fsund u im
poss bls IN many cases 10 arrange for
70 1us. and V-re Obliged 20 -esk qnAf
sefz IN otheP h1teis and boarding
toases IN the city. TIE mai srity Of tee
ladies y re wrapped IN blankets. With
ysils or scsrfs sooat their heads snd
sliupers on their feet.
Ihuss guests Who kad loss ail their
mouey by the Ere we're n0sinsd To-Day
by the manager Of the Rslaos Hotel
thtt tkey might draw on him for sEch
funds as wsFe necessary 20 provics
tksu vith clothing and this evening
they are feeling more oomfoFtA Ia.
The HaddSck Harder Trial
SIOUX CRY. April -fks teBth day
nf the HAddOek murder trial opened
With 3 diminished AttsndAoce. Tie
strain Of sxciteussUt And AHIisty -
60 arsg.n rr4 aha audteanA a. val "a 90